A sagging brow can communicate a tired, angry or worried appearance, even when you feel none of the above. A brow lift corrects sagging tissues, smoothing deep furrows and restoring a more naturally refreshed appearance to your eyes & forehead.

Initial Recovery Time: 7 days

Final Results: 3 months

Richmond, Virginia Brow Lift Surgery

As we age, skin loses elasticity, delicate tissues of the face often begin to sag. On the forehead and brow, deep horizontal lines form and skin folds may droop towards the eyes, leading to a consistently tired, angry or concerned appearance. This “miscommunication” caused by aging can be a real blow to a person’s self-confidence, but a brow lift can help.

Brow lift surgery elevates and repositions the skin, muscle and connective tissue of the brow, smoothing deep furrows and correcting a heavy, aged forehead appearance. A relatively straightforward surgery for most patients, a brow lift can take years off your appearance and restore a naturally refreshed look that allows you to communicate your true emotions with confidence.

Am I a good candidate for brow lift surgery?

A brow lift is a specialized facial procedure that focuses on the upper face, eyebrows and above. Patients who have moderate to extensive sagging skin or excess fatty tissue drooping over their eyes typically benefit most from the procedures. A brow lift may be the right choice for you if:

You are bothered by a heavy, furrowed forehead appearance

Others often mistake you as being tired or angry when you’re not

You have severe creases or “crow’s feet” between your eyebrows

You wish for a more refreshed, youthful appearance to your upper face

If you are primarily concerned about sagging skin or puffiness around your eyelids, cosmetic eyelid surgery may be a more suitable option for you. Likewise, a facelift will yield the most satisfying results for sagging skin and jowling around the mid-face and neck. Of course, a brow lift can be combined with any of these procedures to provide more comprehensive facial rejuvenation. We’ll help you choose the right option during a personal consultation with Dr. Chen.

What is brow lift surgery like?

Brow lift surgery is tailored to your needs, depending on your goals and anatomy. A board certified plastic surgeon with extensive training in facial rejuvenation procedures, Dr. Chen is experienced in multiple brow lift surgery techniques, including endoscopic brow lift surgery. Whenever possible, he uses this minimally invasive technique, which requires shorter incisions and a reduced recovery time.
Dr. Chen may perform brow lift surgery using local anesthesia with intravenous sedation or general anesthesia, provided by a board certified physician anesthesiologist. Incisions are made behind the hairline; the length and number of incisions depends on the extent of surgery. Using an endoscope or direct vision, Dr. Chen lifts and repositions brow muscles, tissue and skin to restore a youthful look. If needed, he will remove excess skin and fatty tissue. When surgery is complete, Dr. Chen bandages the forehead, and you will go home after a short time in our recovery room.

Recovery after a brow lift

For most patients, the recovery process after brow lift surgery is quicker and easier than they anticipated. You’ll need to rest frequently for the first few days, but pain is typically not a problem. Mild to moderate swelling, bruising and a tight feeling around the eyes and forehead are common. Taking short, easy walks is encouraged, and you will be able to shower the day after surgery.

Most patients return to a desk job within the first week after a brow lift, and feel ready to go out in public within a week as well. Exercise can be gradually resumed after 2 to 3 weeks. It can take a few weeks for the last of the swelling to resolve, and you may feel mild numbness or tingling in your forehead for several months.

Enjoying your brow lift results

By repositioning multiple tissue layers in the forehead, brow lift results are designed to last, and you will enjoy a smoother, more youthful appearance to your upper face for many years. While the aging process will continue, surgery has “reset the clock,” helping your newly rejuvenated continue to look more refreshed even as it ages naturally. You can help keep your results looking their best by investing in good skincare habits. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, and consider in-office skin treatments such as laser resurfacing, BOTOX, and peels to help minimize fine lines and surface-level signs of aging.

Would you like to learn more about your options for facial rejuvenation, including brow lift surgery?